Anti Cimex
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, live recordings |
Anti Cimex (also spelled Anti-Cimex) was a Swedish crust punk group established in 1981, with origins in several cities including Skövde, Gothenburg, Linköping, and Malmö.<ref name=jandreus> Recognized as trailblazers within the Scandinavian hardcore punk scene, their second 7-inch record is often hailed as a quintessential D-beat milestone. According to scene expert Peter Jandreus, they stand as the most renowned Swedish punk band from the period spanning 1977 to 1987.[1]
Their name is inspired by the Swedish pest control firm Anticimex, which itself takes its name from the Latin word for a bed bug species, Cimex.[2]
History
The band came together in 1981 with an initial lineup featuring Jonsson on bass, Nillen handling vocals, Charlie on drums, and Jocke playing guitar. Prior to this, Jonsson had experience as bassist in the early Swedish D-beat outfit Shitlickers. Following rehearsals, they debuted with the 7-inch EP Anarkist Attack.[1] In 1982, Nillen departed and Jonsson assumed vocal duties while Conrad joined as bassist. Their 1983 EP Raped Ass is widely regarded as one of hardcore punk's most ferocious releases.[2] Later outputs included the 1984 EP Victims Of A Bomb Raid[1] and the 1986 mini-album Criminal Trap, which was subsequently added as bonus material on the Absolut Country of Sweden CD.
Jocke exited due to exhaustion, and although Cliff initially declined to join, internal challenges eventually caused the band to dissolve. However, in 1990 Cliff accepted membership, leading to a reunion and the launch of their comeback album Absolut Country Of Sweden. This was followed by the gritty live album Made In Sweden in 1993, although its video footage was never officially released. Additional releases encompassed the live 7-inch single Fucked In Finland and the album Scandinavian Jawbreaker. After this final studio effort, they disbanded permanently, with members moving on to other projects such as Driller Killer (Cliff) and Wolfpack (Jonsson).[1]
In 2005, Dead City Records released A Tribute To Anti-Cimex, featuring prominent D-beat and crust punk bands from around the globe, including Japan’s Disclose, Sweden’s Wolfbrigade, Brazil’s Ratos de Porão, and the UK’s Doom.
Final line-up
- Tomas "Freke" Jonsson – bass (1981), vocals (1982–1993) (formerly of Wolfpack, Moment Maniacs, ex-Shitlickers)
- Cliff Lundberg – guitar (1990–1993) (associated with Driller Killer, Perukers, Moderat Likvidation, Black Uniforms)
- Robert "Lefty" Jörgensen – bass (1991–1993; deceased) (linked to Driller Killer, Perukers, Black Uniforms)
- Charlie Claeson – drums (1981–1993), bass (1985) (involved with Troublemakers, Driller Killer, Not Enough Hate, Psychotic Youth, The Great German Re-Research, Death Dealers, The Partisans)
Former members
- Nils "Nillen" Andersson – vocals (1981–1982) (also part of DNA)
- Joakim "Jocke" Pettersson – guitar (1981–1986)
- Bonni "Bonta" Pontén – guitar, vocals (1981) (formerly of Asta Kask)
- Christian "Cutting" – bass (1982; deceased)
- Sixten Andersson – bass (1984–1985)
- Conrad – bass (1983; 1985–1991)
- Jean-Louis Huhta – drums (1984–1987)
- Patrik Granath – drums (1985) (also known from Giftgasattack)
Studio albums
- Absolut Country of Sweden (1990; re-released in 2000 featuring additional tracks)
- Scandinavian Jawbreaker (1993)
EPs
- Anarkist Attack (1982)
- Raped Ass (1983)
- Victims of a Bomb Raid (1984)
- Anti-Cimex (1986)
- Fucked In Finland (1993)
- Demos 81-85 (2007)
12" Releases
- Criminal Trap (1986)
Live recordings
- Made In Sweden (Live album, 1993)
- Fucked in Finland (Live album, 1993)
Compilation contributions
- Really Fast; Vol. 1 | LP (Really Fast, 1983)
- Vägra För Helvete | LP (Rosa Honung, 1983)
- Birkagarden | LP (Rosa Honung, 1985)
- I Thrash Therefore I Am | BCT (1985 [cassette])
- Afflicted Cries in the Darkness of War | LP (New Face, 1986)
- What Are You Doing About That Hole in Your Head | LP (Rot, 1986)
- Eat My Brain, Go Insane | LP (Revoltation, 1995)
- Varning För Punk 3 | CD (Distortion, 1997)